Things You'll Need:
- bowls
- white vinegar
- liquid dish soap
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Step 1
Locate breeding grounds. Gnats breed in many of the same environments as mosquitoes (they both belong to the Diptera family). Eliminate standing water and decomposing plant matter to rob them of their favorite love-nests. Even if you live in wetlands or on a lake, you can help keep down the gnat population in or around your home by emptying stagnant fountains or bird baths, cleaning out gutters, tire swings and anywhere else that tends to get swampy or collect rainwater. Be sure not to over water plants! Constantly-damp soil is a perfect haven for larvae.
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Step 2
When you know you're going to be venturing into a gnat-infested area, wear a citronella-based lotion or spray like Burt's Bees Herbal Insect Repellent or Liquid Net. These are safe for children and babies, and work amazingly well.
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Step 3
To protect a specific outdoor area, sprinkle a non-toxic product like Mosquito and Gnat Scat over the ground, half a day before the area will be used. All natural cedar-based sprays like CedarCide are also highly effective.
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Step 4
Screen your windows and porches with fine weave fiberglass screen. All gnats are small, but some species of gnats are so small they're colloquially called 'no-seeums'. The finer screen weaves help keep these pests out.
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Step 5
Finally, set out bowls of white vinegar with a few drops of dish liquid added. The gnats are attracted to the vinegar, but become trapped in the dish liquid and die. This is a useful tactic for indoor gnat control, but be sure to place the bowls in your problem areas only. Otherwise, the gnats may be lured out into your living areas and feed on you rather than the vinegar.
